Categories-Based Express Entry | Learn How IRCC Prioritizes Healthcare Professionals

These measures include the establishment of streamlined processes to ensure efficient handling of healthcare applications and reducing waiting times for applicants in the healthcare sector. Healthcare-related applications receive priority processing and increased attention from IRCC officials, reflecting the recognition of the crucial contributions made by healthcare workers to the well-being of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. IRCC collaborates closely with provincial health authorities to align immigration policies and processes with the needs of the healthcare sector. The IRCC provides regular updates on its website regarding healthcare-related application processing, ensuring applicants have access to the latest information, processing times, and policy changes. By prioritizing healthcare-related applications and facilitating the immigration process, Canada aims to ensure a robust and skilled workforce in this crucial industry.

Express Entry & The New Categories-Based Selection

The Express Entry selection system is an efficient, online, and streamlined selection system for skilled immigrants to get their Canadian permanent residence application processed. IRCC has introduced categories-based selection, which prioritizes certain occupations, including the healthcare professionals. Healthcare workers have been given priority under the categories-based selection on the latest draw, which was conducted on June 28th, 2023, as they are a crucial workforce.

For qualified healthcare professionals, the immigration procedure has been sped up by IRCC.

New category for healthcare professionals: IRCC has created a special category for healthcare professionals that enables them to demonstrate their abilities and experience in a more organized way. This category makes sure that medical providers get the proper credit and quick service.

 

In-demand jobs: IRCC selects jobs in the healthcare industry that are in ‘high demand’ in Canada and provides preference to applicants with relevant experience based on their NOC. This guarantees that the nation can deal with skill shortages and satisfy the expanding healthcare requirements of its populace.

 

Express Entry programs: healthcare professionals may apply under a number of Express Entry initiatives, including the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). To be given priority consideration, you must fulfill the requirements of at least one of these programs.

 

Continuous work experience: to qualify for prioritization, healthcare professionals must have accumulated at least 6 months of continuous work experience within the past 3 years in one of the listed healthcare occupations. This requirement ensures that candidates have the necessary expertise and recent experience in the field. Previously, the requirement was minimum 1 year.

Meeting additional requirements: apart from the specific criteria for healthcare professionals, candidates must also meet all other requirements outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the given application round. These requirements may include factors like language proficiency, education assessment, proof of funds, medical examinations, and police/penal clearances.

 

Why has healthcare been defined as a category?

According to the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the healthcare sector is expected to become the largest employer in Canada by 2031, surpassing 2.5 million workers compared to 2.2 million in 2021. Out of the 58 occupational groupings that faced shortages between 2019 and 2021, 38 of them were long-lasting and primarily concentrated in the healthcare field. These shortages are projected to persist into 2031, with 37 out of the 38 occupational groupings still experiencing long-lasting shortages.

The demand for health care services is being driven by various factors, including the aging population, the need to address the backlog of “non-essential” treatments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the introduction of a universal dental care program. These factors are expected to further boost the demand for labor in the healthcare sector.

In summary, based on the projections from the Canadian Occupational Projection System, the healthcare sector in Canada is anticipated to experience significant growth and will be the largest employing sector by 2031. The persistent shortages in specific occupational groupings within healthcare, coupled with the increasing demand for services, highlight the need for a strong workforce to meet the evolving needs of the population.

 

Contact us if to know if you qualify to migrate to Canada. Check out Owlspriority Immigration’s Canada Settlement Resources to learn about finding employment in Canada, making your initial days stress-free, etc.